Spinal Nourishing Pose
Spinal Nourishing Pose
This is one of my favourite twisting poses. It is very relaxing and can be done by most people at any fitness level or age. Let yourself relax into the pose and bring attention into your spine. Let your whole spinal column be enlivened by the effects of the pose as well as your attention. It is not recommended to do this pose if you have just finished a meal, or are pregnant. Use caution if you have degenerated disks or arthritis in the spine or hips.
You will need some blankets, pillows, or yoga blocks for this pose.
1. Lay on your back with your block or pillow on you left side near your hip and your blanket near your right shoulder.
2. Bend your right knee and bring the sole of your foot onto your left knee. Roll onto your left side bringing your knee down onto your block. (you may need to adjust the height of the block or pillow so it feels comfortable.)
3. Bring your right arm over to the right until your arm is resting on your blanket. You may have to adjust the angle of your hip in order to place the arm in a comfortable position. Use as many blankets under the arm as you need so the position is very comfortable. Turn your head and look over your right shoulder.
4. Check that there is equal weight on both the right knee as well as the right shoulder. You may need to fine tune your pose a bit and experiment with your props in order to find that balance.
5. You should be feeling the stretch in your hips, back, and shoulders. Take care to keep the movement of your neck soft and relaxed.
6. Once you feel comfortable in the pose allow yourself to
relax, let your arm sink into the blanket and your knee sink into the block. Breathe into your back and spine as if you are drawing nourishment into your back muscles from the energy in your breath. Also breathe into your spine and feel the prana from your breath enliven the spinal column.
7. Hold the pose for about 1 min to each side, or until you feel the stretch diminish.
Benefits~ increases flexibility to the spine, and back muscles. Opens the shoulders, chest, and hips, mobilizes the pelvis and sacrum, strengthens the parasympathetic nervous system, releases stress and emotional tension. Detoxifies internal organs. Improves bowl function.
© written and modeled by Christine Wushke, Photo’s by Dianne Wushke.
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